Soccer enthusiasts in Dallas witnessed a number 10 making an impact on Monday night, but it wasn’t Inter Miami’s superstar, Lionel Messi. Instead, FC Dallas’ star player, Jesus Ferreira, scored three minutes into the preseason match, resulting in a 1-0 defeat for Messi and Inter Miami at Cotton Bowl Stadium.
Inter Miami remains scoreless after two preseason matches in El Salvador and Dallas, with a week to prepare before their next game in their worldwide tour.
Messi, alongside Inter Miami stars Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and newcomer Julian Gressel, who won the MLS Cup with Columbus Crew last season, played the first 64 minutes of the match before being substituted. Messi and Suárez displayed their familiar chemistry on the pitch, but their attempts to score goals did not alter the score or evoke memories of their glory days together at FC Barcelona.
Messi had three missed shots on goal, while Suarez missed three opportunities, including one where he had to stretch to receive a precise pass from Messi outside the penalty area.
In the 87th minute, Messi, wearing a black Inter Miami jersey with long sleeves, made his way off the field donning a heavy black jacket, acknowledging the fans who braved the wet, 40-degree night to watch him play.
This match was far from the thrilling encounter between Messi and Inter Miami against FC Dallas last August, where they made a remarkable comeback from deficits of 3-1 and 4-2, with Messi scoring the equalizer in the 85th minute. Inter Miami advanced past FC Dallas with a 5-3 edge in penalty kicks during the Leagues Cup tournament match.
Messi and Inter Miami’s busy schedule continues in preparation for the 2024 MLS season. They will return home on Monday night and have four days to prepare for an extended preseason tour in Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, and Tokyo.
Inter Miami is set to play two matches in the Riyadh Season Cup, beginning on Jan. 29 against Al Hilal and on Feb. 1 against Al Nassr, where Messi will face off against his rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, in what could be their last meeting in their illustrious careers.
Inter Miami’s worldwide preseason tour will cover over 25,000 miles, making stops in Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, and Tokyo over the next three weeks.
As for their regular season, Messi and Inter Miami will kick off the 2024 MLS season against Real Salt Lake on Feb. 21 at 8 p.m. ET inside DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The club will also play an away game against the Los Angeles Galaxy on Feb. 25 at 8:30 p.m. ET to close out the MLS opening weekend.
Messi’s Departure in the 64th Minute: FC Dallas 1, Inter Miami 0 Leo Messi’s night came to an end, and the other stars of Inter Miami also left the match in the 64th minute. They were trailing 1-0 to FC Dallas. Just before their substitution, they had one final attempt on goal: Messi passed to Robert Taylor, who then returned it to Messi, and Messi delivered a pass to Suárez, but the ball was denied at the net.”
Conclusion
Lionel Messi’s presence in Inter Miami’s preseason match against FC Dallas showcased glimpses of his enduring talent, but it wasn’t enough to secure a victory. The team’s struggles to find the back of the net highlighted the challenges they face as they prepare for the 2024 MLS season.
Despite the defeat, Messi and Inter Miami have an extensive international preseason tour ahead, with intriguing matchups on the horizon, including a showdown against Cristiano Ronaldo. As the team travels the globe, fans eagerly anticipate the renewed chemistry between Messi and his teammates, hoping for a successful campaign when the regular season kicks off. The world of soccer remains captivated by Messi’s journey, and the upcoming season promises excitement and anticipation as he continues to leave his mark on the sport.